Officer Wade Barrett was shot and killed after he had responded to a call of an unknown disturbance at an apartment complex on South Hairston Road shortly before midnight.

As he pulled in he heard a woman scream from an upstairs apartment. As he entered the apartment he interrupted a home invasion robbery by five suspects posing as police officers and was shot. One of the rounds entered an opening in his vest and struck his heart.

He was transported to DeKalb Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 12:13 am.

Officer Barrett had served with the DeKalb County Police Department for four years. He is survived by one son.

Most Recent Reflection

I was a Division Chief for DeKalb Fire Rescue in EMS the day Officer Wade Barrett was shot. I was the first paramedic on the scene and I remember the helpless feeling of not being able to change the course of events and the outcome that day. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. The bullet hit him and against the odds, missed his ballistic vest. His actions were that of a true hero. I think about Officer Barrett often. Rest easy sir.